MADD supporters rally again
Ethan Couch was released from jail April 2, amidst strong reaction from across the nation. Couch, dubbed the “affluenza teen” after his lawyers used his life of privilege as a defense, served a mere two years for killing four people and injuring eleven others while driving drunk.
“On a day like today, there are no winners.”
Upon his release, MADD issued a statement saying, in part, “Rest assured, MADD will continue to monitor this case to honor the victims of this tragedy and their families. We will be watching, because this case brought to light that there is so much more work to be done to hold drunk drivers accountable.”
Requests for further comment from MADD came pouring in from CBS News, Fox News, “Good Morning America,” the Washington Post and other news organizations. And more than 2,500 MADD supporters rushed to sign a new “fight affluenza” petition — a call for legislators to impose tougher drunk driving penalties.
MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church said, “On a day like today, there are no winners. 720 days for what happened five years ago is a grave injustice.”
Couch served the maximum time for his sentence, thanks in large part to MADD supporters petitioning the courts every step of the way.
When Couch’s case was moved to adult court last year, MADD demanded he serve out his full sentence. This legislative push also was instrumental in assuring Couch will remain on probation and have other court-imposed restrictions, such as an ignition interlock on his vehicle.
